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Did You Know.ST. PETERSBURG DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTERINTRODUCINGTHE NEW PIERThe City Councilselected the newdesign for the StPetersburg Pier –The Pier Park. Theprocess beganmore than a yearago andincluded citizenparticipation aswell as the PierWorking Groupand Selection Committee. Mayor Rick Kriseman has issueda contract to the design team and the city can now moveforward finalizing the design, securing permits andselecting a construction company.GET THE PINELLAS APP If you have an issue youwould like to report to Pinellas County, like a pothole orburned out street light, report it using their FREE app. Iteven allows you to send them photos. Available forAndroid and Iphone users, find more information atpinellascounty.org/reportanissue or search for PinellasCounty on Itunes or the Play Store.NEED ANOTHER COPY OF THIS NEWSLETTER? Pickone up at the UPS Stores at 200 2nd Avenue S. and inthe Old Northeast area at 204 37th Street N. While youare there check out their range of products and servicesincluding printing, packing, shipping, and mailbox.WHEN TO EVACUATE Pinellas County has a new Webbased Storm Surge App which offers three-dimensionalviews of how far water will rise on your property atdifferent evacuation levels. On your phone or computer,visit d type in your address.GRANDE GALA FOR FLAPPERS & FELLAS This newsnazzy fundraiser is for RCS, a non-profit providing hopeand help to Pinellas County neighbors who arehomeless, hungry or dealing with domestic abuse. Markyour calendars for Oct. 10, 2015 and join celebrityhosts 10 News Ashley Batey and Tampa Bay TimesErnest Hooper at RCS's 1st Annual Grande Gala forFlappers & Fellas from 7 - 11 pm. Tickets are on salenow online or over the phone (727-584-3528) for 125/person; 500/person includes VIP pre-party 6-7pm. Visit RCSpinellas.org/GrandeGala or emailGrandeGala@RCSPinellas.org.DOG DAYS OF AUGUSTPinellas County Animal Servicescelebrates the month of Augustby offering a reduced adoptionfee of 25 on large dogs andcats and 40 for puppies(under four months) and smallbreeds during normal shelteradoption hours. The fee includesmedical checkup,spaying/neutering, vaccinations, internal and externalparasite control, heartworm testing and feline leukemiatesting and micro chipping. Call (727) 582-2600.

and More.ST. PETERSBURG DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTERDO YOU PLAY THEHARMONICA? The GulfportSenior Citizens HarmonicaClub practices at theGulfport Senior CitizensCenter in Gulfport from 9 to11:45 am every Wednesdaymorning. They also performin the center's cafeteria every3rd Wednesday at 10:45 to11:45. There is no charge tolisten. Anyone interested inlearning how to play theharmonica or in joining the club,please call Howard Rothstein at 727-363-8016.JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE Every Thursday evening at theChi Chi Rodriquez Golf Club beginning a 5pm, the Clubsponsors a junior golf league, open to kids 7-17. 9 holesare only 10. Contact Cortez Love at 727.430.6262 oremail tezlove1@aol.com for information. The Golf Clubis located at 3030 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater.JULY 26TH, PARENT’S DAY Parents, did you know youhave a day, too? It is the fourth Sunday of July. Parent’sDay was made official by President Bill Clinton in 1994,with a Congressional Resolution. Maybe your kids willsurprise you with something or let you sleep in that day.NEW FALL FOOD EVENT Billed as Tampa Bay’s ultimatewine and food experience, St. Pete Wine and Food Fest isbeing planned in the Beach Drive area September 24-27.Tickets are being sold for individual events, or for theentire four days. Visit StPeteWineandFoodFest.com.CHANGE OF TOUR TIMES The First United MethodistChurch offers tours that focus on their historic stained glasswindows. Beginning in August, the Wednesday tour led byknowledgeable docents, will begin at 11am. The Gothicrevival style church, built in 1926 is located at 2nd Avenueand 3rd Street N. For more information, you can callGenny Sexton at 894-4661.RECYCLE ALUMIUMUsed aluminumbeverage cans are themost recycled item inthe U.S., but othertypes of aluminum,such as siding, gutters,car components,storm window framesand lawn furniture canalso be recycled. There is no limit to the amount of timesaluminum can be recycled. We consume the contents ofover 80 trillion aluminum cans every year and over100,000 aluminum cans are recycled each minute. In2010 that amounted to 53 billion cans, not even 1%. Aused aluminum can, can be recycled and back on thegrocery shelf as a new can, in as little as 60 days. That'sclosed loop recycling at its finest! Recycling one aluminumcan saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours ortheequivalent of a half a gallon of gasoline.OUR NEXT ISSUE IS SEPTEMBER Read this, as wellas other issues, online at stpetedowntownnewsletter.com

ST. PETERSBURG DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTERPLAN AHEAD TO BE HURRICANE SAFEBy Kenneth T. Welch, Pinellas County CommissionerHurricane season started on June 1. We know this date well in Florida, as many storms havebreached our borders in the past. It is definitely not a pleasant thing to think about, but beingprepared when a major hurricane does threaten our area is important. Your county works hard tohelp you prepare and this year we have added a few new tools to make planning a bit easier.When a major hurricane hits, the biggest threat is the storm surge. Many people assume thatevacuations are ordered because of wind, but really they are ordered because of dangers posedby water. Storm surge from hurricanes can cause water from the bay and the gulf to move ashorewith extreme speed. This water leaves great disaster in its path and hauls items that are notsecured back out to waterways.In Pinellas County, we live on a peninsula and because of this, we are extremely vulnerable to storm surge flooding.Thanks to efforts by Pinellas County Emergency Management, you can now see what impact storm surge could haveon your home, business or neighborhood, by using the county’s award-winning Storm Surge Protector Webapplication.Simply type in your address to view a three-dimensional rendering of your home or business. The application showsyour evacuation level and will depict how much water your home and car would be under, depending on the severityof the storm. You can also see how your neighborhood would do in a storm surge scenario. The app is easy to useand I encourage you to take advantage of this innovative new tool.Another new initiative this year for our beach residents and businesses is the Emergency Access Permit. To give youpeace of mind in the event of an evacuation, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and barrier island communities areproviding these free permits, which will ensure only those who live or work in an evacuated community can reenterimmediately after an order is lifted. The permits will help law enforcement keep trespassers from using a disaster fortheir personal gain by stealing from those affected. You can pick up a permit from your municipality, and you can visitpcsoweb.com/emergency-access-permit for more information.To learn more about these and other preparedness measures, visit our Emergency Management website atpinellascounty.org/emergency. You can also utilize the Storm Surge Protector Web application from the EmergencyManagement website. Remember, preparation is the key to survive a major storm. I hope you will join me this yearand every year in updating your family’s hurricane preparedness plan.

ST. PETERSBURG DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTERPLAYBOY CLUB, CONTINUEDThe Club had a Cabaret Room with major entertainment. TheLiving Room had a very big bar. Bunnies only served drinks,but never food. They were supposed to visit and talk to thecustomers, and play games. You could play bumper pool witha Bunny for 1.“We had a tough regiment to live up to,” Heishman recalled.“We had to stay within 5 pounds of the weight at which wewere hired; we were weighed every Friday. Everything was onthe up-and-up at The Club. We were encouraged to takephotos with guests. But they were not allowed to touch us. Youalways had to have your hands on your waist,” Heishmanremembers. “We could not wear any jewelry, no bobby pinsin our hair and our nails had to be perfect. We wereinspected every time we went on the floor. We all had differentcolored uniforms. Mine was pink with a white tail,” Heishmancontinued. “I still have it somewhere.”When the St Petersburg PlayboyClub closed in 1983, a friendcalled Heishman to interview fora job at a new place opening inClearwater, Hooter’s. In Octoberof 1983, she was hired as oneof the first Hooter’s girls. Sheworked for Hooter’s for sevenyears and had her second childwhile working there.“Hooter’s was a great job, too.We were always doing fun stuff.We’d go to special events andpromotions like beach sportingevents and golf tournaments,”Heishman said.Today she lives in Oldsmar and is the mother of three, withtwo grandchildren. For the past eight years, Heishman hasbeen an assistant manager and server at O’Keefes on SouthFt. Harrison in Clearwater. “But, being a Playboy Bunny wasthe best job I ever had,” Heishman fondly remembers.AS WE REMEMBER IT:“Sherwood White and I went to the Playboy club all the time.It was a nice place to hang out. They had a room with pooltables and the Bunnies played pool with us. They were nice towatch, if you know what I mean. They also had a good pianobar. After a few drinks we would hang around and sing someof the old great songs. Sherwood was a great singer.” JoePuglisi, Crown Honda.“I actually joined the Atlanta Playboy Club and went to StPete’s when it opened in 1980. It was plush, with lots of redon the walls and carpet. It was the place to go for happyhour. They gave you a metal key as your membership card. Imet a lot of my personal friends there after work. Sometimeswe took our wives. I remember that it was kind of expensive,but that was not why we went. It was just one of the places wewent downtown. The other places back then included theYacht Club, the Edgewater Beach Hotel, Mooks Tavern, theChatterbox, and Downtown Under (later One Beach Drive).The Playboy Club was a little snobbish. But we really went tosee the Bunnies.” Bruce Watters, owner Bruce Watters Jewelry“I remember Eddie Shave was the night manager. He wasfrom Detroit, and so was I. He was a super guy and alwaystook care of me. They had shows there with good performers.I also recall the food. It must have been good, because I wasthere 3 to 4 nights a week. I will never forget the beautifulyoung women who worked there wearing that bunny attire,gorgeous.” Robert Donaldson, St Pete Resident

ST. PETERSBURG DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTERMISS FLORIDAThe public helped celebrate the 80th Anniversary MISSFLORIDA PAGEANT in St. Petersburg at the MahaffeyTheatre in June. The new Miss Florida is Mary KatherineFechtel representing the University of Florida. She is 19years old and a senior at UF, working towards herBachelor of Science. She is from Leesburg, Florida.Miss Florida receives an 18,000 educationalscholarship and thousands of dollars in prizes. Dozens ofForever Miss Florida titleholders along with this year's 47Miss Florida contestants and 34 Miss Florida'sOutstanding Teen contestants converged on St.Petersburg with their families, supporters, sponsorsduring pageant week in St. Petersburg.The pageant called "Shining Bright Since 1935" wasproduced by Wayne Gentry of Monroe, Louisiana, andchoreographed by Shea Sullivan of New York City. Thenew Miss Florida will compete in the Miss Americapageant on September 13, 2015 in Atlantic Citytelevised live on ABC TV. Miss America Kira Kazantsevpresented the crowning of Miss Florida 2015. For furtherinformation visit MissFlorida.org and themahaffey.com.ST PETE MUSEUM OF HISTORYAugust 16, 2pm, "Painted Past, Art by the Glass" Enjoy wineand appetizers while you learn to paint local historiclandmarks like the Million Dollar pier, the Skyway Bridge,and the Vinoy. Visit www.SPMoH.org/paintedAugust 29, 3 to 7pm, J.J. Taylor presents, "Beers on thePier" Sip the beers of independent breweries from aroundTampa Bay and across the nation. The SPMoH is hostingover 75 different brews, sampled throughout the exhibits ofSt. Petersburg's past. Visit www.BeersonthePier.com.September 8 to November 30, "Florida's Wildlife CorridorExpedition, Photos of Carlton Ward, Jr." SPMoH hostsoriginal Florida photos of natural tall forests and windingwaterways, with original cowboys and wild animals. Seethe state through the lens of the eighth generationFloridian, Carlton Ward. Visit www.spmoh.org/exhibitsSeptember 8 to November 30, 2015, Florida OrangeGroves Winery presents "Crate Expectations" Florida'soriginal industry, citrus, was actually an amazing expeditionof art as every company painted their crates differently.The SPMoH tells the pre-tourism Florida story through it'soriginal art. Visit www.spmoh.org/exhibits.September 16 to October 31, 2015, "City Theater, 90thAnniversary Exhibit" St. Petersburg's original theatercompany turns 90 this year and the SPMoH is hosting theirstory. More information at www.spmoh.org/exhibits

ST. PETERSBURG DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTERCALENDAR OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTSJULYGrand Central Business Expo22Rowdies At Home Vs Ft Lauderdale 25Mahaffey Kenny Edmonds25Parents Day26Slightly Stoopid Vinoy Park26Foodscape Woman’s Club26Voter Registration Deadline27Grand Central Restaurant Day28Palladium Jazz Concert29Ponce de Leon Exhibit closes SPMOH 31AUGUSTMuseum Fine Arts Marly Music Series 2Cult Classic Summer Movie6First Friday7The Great Brain Wash Straub Park 8Western BBQ St Pete Woman’s Club 8Mahaffey Jill Scott Concert9Trim Notices Mailed10Florida Orchestra Single Tickets10Summer Evening Walking Tour12Second Saturday Art Walk15Great St Pete Cup Cake Contest15Marly Music Series Museum Fine Arts 16Painted Past St Pete History Museum 16Florida Main Street Conference 17-19Twilight Walking Tour19Public School Begins24St Petersburg Election Primary25Gulfport Gekofest29Williams Park Summer Market Ends 29Beers On The Pier SPMOH29Marly Music Series Museum Fine Arts 30SEPTEMBERGood Burger Awards Ceremony3First Friday4Mahaffey Keith Sweat Concert5Grandparents Day Sunday6Labor Day7Schools Closed7Happy Hour With Historian SPMOH 10Palladium Vic Dibitetto Comedy show 11Patriot’s Day11Curesearch Walk South Straub Park 12Chemical Collection All State Ctr 12Electric Drive Day Spa Beach Park 12St Pete Arts Festival12-20Second Saturday Art Walk12Arts And Fashion Week14-19Bucs Opening Game13Intimate Apparel American Stage 16Mahaffey Tango Lovers Musical18SPF15 St Pete Festival18-27Gam Sailing Seminar Yacht Club 19One Step Closer WalkOktoberfest Grand CentralJob Fair The ColiseumAutumn Begins WednesdayCarefest Work DaySunrise Run Vinoy ParkArts Alive Free Museum DayCarmada 2015Run For The HerosOff Shore Power Races Clearwater19192123262626262627OCTOBERFire Prevention MonthMovies In The Park N. Straub Park 1Pearls Of Wisdom1First Friday2Florida Orchestra2Saturday Morning Market Opens3Movies In The Park N. Straub Park 8Florida Orchestra9-11Tampa Bay Bridal Show Coliseum 11Columbus Day12Tampa Bay Seniors Expo13The Mahaffey Alvin & Chipmunks 15Movies In The Park N. Straub Park 15Clearwater Jazz Holiday15-18National Bosses Day16Florida Orchestra Led Zepplin Music 16

ST. PETERSBURG DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTER

ST. PETERSBURG DOWNTOWN NEWSLETTERHOME GROWN BUILDER MIKE CHEEZEM, JMC COMMUNITIESBy Bob Griffin, PublisherMike Cheezem, and JMCCommunities, has been in the spotlightlately. The company recently acquiredthe historic Belleview Biltmore property.JMC has received approval to build amulti-family project and has alreadystarted demolition of the hotel.Who is Mike Cheezem, the personbehind JMC? Before we can talk aboutMike Cheezem, we need to mentionhis father, Charles (Charlie) K.Cheezem, whose local residentialprojects date back to the late 1940s.Charlie was a Civil Engineering studentat Clemson when WWII broke out. “Hisentire class was called to serve in thewar,” says son Mike. “My dad wasinvolved in the Battle of the Bulge andhelped build bridges in thereconstruction of France.”“After the war, Dad moved to Florida in1948 and started a home buildingbusiness. He always did things in a bigway,” Mike explained. “He started acompany and built homes andcondominiums before people knewwhat a condo was.” He built projects inSeminole (Ridgewood Village) and inSt. Petersburg’s Northeast(Thunderwood Homes). He was one ofthe first condo builders in PinellasCounty and built the Sea Towers onDuhme Road in Madeira Beach,buildings in Sand Key and other majorprojects.Then the oil embargo of 1974hit and things changed. Sensing therewould be more opportunities in SouthFlorida, he built some large projects inMiami’s Key Biscayne and SouthBeach. Charlie sold CheezemDevelopment Company in 1985.Mike was raised in Pinellas County. Hewent to St. Pete High, Northeast High,then FSU and UNC-Chapel Hill wherehe received his Masters in Finance andReal Estate. He lives in Snell Isle withhis family and has an office at 22014th Street N in St. Petersburg.One might think Mike just walked inand took over the family business. Thatis not exactly how it happened. “Iworked for my father starting fromwhen I was 12,” Mike reflects. “Ihelped around the construction sitesdigging footers and laying sod.”Mike got tired of working as a laborerwith his dad’s company and asked hisdad how to get more involved in thebusiness. His dad said, “Go buildsomething.” So he did. While incollege, he bought land and built asimple eight-unit apartment building inMadeira Beach.“Me and mybuddies did most ofthe work ourselves.We sold it andmade a small profit.That got memotivated,” heremembers. InTallahassee, while atFSU, he built his firstsingle family home.He continued towork for his dadduring the summersin Pinellas andMiami.In 1978, after hecompleted his Masters degree, Mikestarted JMC Communities, adevelopment company.He has teamed up with partners tobuild some of the largest and bestknown multi-family condos in PinellasCounty.Here is a list of JMC’s area projects:l St. Petersburg: Ovation, Florencia,Bacopa Bay, Dolphin Cay, WinstonPark Northeast, Rowland Placel Clearwater Beach: The SandpearlResort, JMC Resort Properties, BelleHarbor Condos, Mandalay Beach Clubl Sand Key: The Grande, The Meridianl South Pasadena: Harborside &Pasadena Covel Tampa: The Bellamy on Bayshorel Bradenton: Pinebrook & Wood Parkat Desoto Squarel Dunedin: Victoria Place, a mixeduse project under construction onMain Street.So what is planned for Belleair? JMCplans to build approximately 132 livingunits on the multi-acre Biltmore site ina community to be called BelleviewPlace. There will be 28 townhomesand four six-level buildings with 26units each (for a total of 104 condounits) and a small inn called theBelleview Inn.The main road into the development,the Grand Boulevard, will lead to theBelleview Inn, which is being createdby saving and renovating the hotel’soriginal lobby, along with 33 adjoiningrooms. The areas to the north, southand west are where the new structureswill be built.“We have cleared all the approvalswith the city and other boards,” saysMike. The Belleair Planning andZoning Board voted unanimously torecommend the zoning change formixed-use. The Commission gavepreliminary approval on May 20. Asecond and final hearing, and vote, isscheduled for June 17.“Most of the residents understand thata 400-room hotel is not viable on thissite anymore,” says Mike. “The originalhotel was built in 1897 by Henry Plant.People went there by train and horsedrawn carriages. It is not on the beachand not on any major roadway. Timesand habits have changed.”Demolition of part of the hotel has

Suncoast Playboy Club, it was located in the Bayfront Concourse Hotel, today's Hilton. Like all the others, the club was very popular in the beginning, but quickly faded and . GWFC ST PETE WOMAN'S CLUB 822-4982 40 Snell Isle Blvd N.E. NORTHEAST EXCHANGE CLUB 528-3828 NORTHEAST LITTLE LEAGUE. 526-9602 ROTARY OF ST.